Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-12-15

The farmer or the agriculturiSt who manu-
features nothing, but who pays the increased
price which the tariff imposes upon every agri-
cultural implement, upon all he wears and upon
all hs uses and owns, except the Increase Of his
focks and herds and such things as in his hus-
bandry he produces from the soil is invited to
aid in maintaining the present situation; and he
is told that high duty on imported wool is nee
essary for the benefit Of those who have sheep
to shear in order that the price Of their wool
may be increased. They, OF course. are not re-
minded that the farmer who has no sheep is by
this scheme obliged. in his purchases OF cloth
ing and wooden goods. to pay tribute to
his fellow farmer as well as to the Elanufactur-
er and merchant; nor is any mention made Of
the fact that the sheep owners themselves and
their households must wear clothing and use
other articles manu- featured from The wool they
sell at tariff prices. and thus as consumers must
return their share of this increased price to the
tradesman. think it may be fairly assumed
that large proportion OF the sheep owned by
the farmers throughout the country are found
in small focks numbering from twenty-five TO
fifty. The duty on the grade OF imported wool
which those sheep yield is ten cents for each
pound II OF the value Of thirty cents, and twelve
cents if OF the value of more than thirty cents.
If the liberal estimate OF six pounds be allowed
for each fleece, the duty thereon would be sixty
or seventy-two cents. ald this may be taken rs
the utmost enhancement Of the price to the
farmer by reason Of this duty. Eighteen dol
lars would thus represent the increased price OF
the wool from twenty-five sheep and thrtysix
dollars that from the wo oil of fifty sheep; and at
present values this addition would amount to,
about one-third OF its price. II upon its sale
the farmer receives this or a less tariff profit
the wool leaves his hands charged with precise
ly that sum, which in all it's changes will ad
here to 1t, until it reaches the consumer. When
manufactured into cloth and other goods and
material for use its cost is not only increased
to the extent OF the farmers tariff profit but u
further sum has been added for the benefit OF
the manufacturer under the operation OF other
tariff laws In the meantime the day arrives
when the farmer finds it necessary to purchase
WOODEN goods and material to clothe himself
and family for the winter When he faces the
tradesman for that purpose he discovers
that he is obliged not only to return in the
way OF increased prices his tariff profit on
the wool he sold. and which then perhaps lies
before him in manufactured FORM but that he
must add considerable sum thereto to meet
further increase in cost caused by a tariff duty
on the manufacture. Thus in the end he is
aroused to the fact that he has paid upon
moderate purchase, as q result OF the tariff
scheme, which, when he sold his wool, seemed
so profitable an increase in price, more than
sufficient to sweep away al the tariff profit he
received upon the wool he produced and sold.
When the number OF farmers engaged in
wool-raising is compared with all the farmers in
the country. and the small proportion they bear
to our population is considered: when it is
made apparent that. in case Of a large part of
those who own sheep. the benefit OF the present
tariff on wool is illusory: and above all, when
it must be conceded that the increase Of the
cost Of living caused by such tariff becomes
burden upon those with moderate means and
the poor, the employed and unemployed, the
sick and well, and the young and old, and that
it constitutes tax, which with relentless
grasp, is fastened upon the clothing of every
man, woman and child in the land, reasons are
suggested why the removal or reduction Of this
duty should be included in 4 revision Of our
tariff laws.
In speaking of the increased cost to the con-
sumner of our home manufacture, resulting from
duty laid upon imported articles of the same
description, the fact is not overlooked that COM
petition among our domestic producers some
times has the effect of keeping the price OF their
products below the highest limit allowed by
such duty. But it is notorious that this ccmpe-
tition is too often strdngled by combinations
quite prevalent ut this time, and frequently
called trusts, which have for their object the
regulation of the supply and price of commodi-
ties made and sold by members of the cOmbina-
ton. The people can hardly hope for any con-
sideratiOn in the operation Of these selfish
schemes II, however, in the absence of such
combination, healthy and free competition
reduces the price of any particular dutiab]e
article of home production below the limit
which it might otherwise reach under our tariff
laws, and if, with such reduced price its manu-
facture continues to thrive it is entirely evil
dent that one thing has been discovered which
should be carefully scrutinized in an effort to
reduce taxation. The necessity of cOmbina-
ton to maintain the price OF any commodity to
the tariff point furnishes proof that some one
is willing to accept ,wer prices for such com
modify, and that such prices are remuIerative
and lower prices produced by competition prove
the same thing Thus where either of these
conditions exists, case would seem to be pre-
sented for an easy reduction of taxation.
The considerations which have been presented
touching our tariff laws are intended only to
enforce an earnest recommendation that the
surplus revenues Of the Government be pre-
vented by the reduction of our customs duties,
and, ut the same time, to emphasize sugges-
ton that in accomplishing this purpose we may
discharge double duty to our people by grant
ing to them measure of relief from tariff taxa
ton where it is most needed and from sources
which it can be most fairly and justly accorded.
Nor can the presentation made of such consid-
erations be- with any degree of fairness, re-
garded as evidence of unfriendlineSS toward our
interests, or OF any lack Of ap-
probation of the value.
These interests constitute leading and most
elemen. of our National greatness
and furnish the proud proof Of our country's
progress. Butif. in the emergency that presses
on us. our manufacturers are asked to surrender
something for the public good and to avert dis
aster, their patriotism, as well as grateful re-
cognitiOn OF advantages already afforded,
should lead them to willingly cooperate.
No demand is made that they shall
foregO all the benefits Of governmental
regard, but they can not fail to he ad-
monished Of their duty, well as their
enlightened selfintercst and safety, when
they arc reminded of the fact that financial
panic and collapse, to which the present condi-
ton tends. afford no greater shelter or pro-
lection to our manufactures than to our other
important enterprises. Opportunity for safe,
careful and deliberate reform is now offered,
and none of us should be unmindful of the time
when abused and irritated people, needless of
those who have been resisted timely and
reasonable relief, may insist upon a radical and
sweeping rectitication of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise and fair revis-
ion of our tariff laws is not underestimate. 1t
will require on the part of the Congress great
labor and care, and especially a broad and ma
tional contemplation of the subject, and a patri-
otto disregard of such local and selfish claims as
are unreasonable and reckless OF the welfare Of
the entire country.
Under our present laws more than four thous-
and articles are subject to duty. Many of these
do not in any way compete with our own manu-
features. and many are hardly worth attention
as subjects of revenue. A considerable reduc-
ton can be made in the aggregate by adding
them to the free list. The taxation of luXuries
presents no features of hardship, but the reces
saries OF life, used and consumed by all the
people, the duty upon which adds to the cost of
living in every home. should be greatly cheap
ened.
The radical reduction OF the duties imposed
upon raw material used in manufactures, or its
free importation, is Of course an important fac
tor in any effort to reduce the price of these